Means for telegraphing



W. H. FAHRNEY. MEANS FOR TBLEGRAPHING.

(No Model.)

ylll atented Apr. 11,1893.

,Zwazz 02? as an Pnutuumcn. wasuiuc- NEY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State derpressure and a resonator provided with a UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY FAHRNEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MEANS FOR TELEG RAPHING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,030, dated April 11, 1893.

Application filed October 22, 1892 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HENRY FAHR- of Illinois, have invented a newand useful Means for Telegraphing, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates more particularly to means for improving orintensifying the sounding qualities of the receiver or sounder oftelegraphic instruments, but I wish it to be understood, nevertheless,that I do not limit the scope of my invention to this particular use,for, as will hereinafter appearthe invention is also applicable tosystems or devices for the transmission or production of other forms ofaudible signals.

The primary object of my invention is to render electrically producedsignals more andible than heretofore, whereby they may be understood ata greater distance from the receiver or sounder; thus providing forcommunication between distant vessels at sea, or between other distantpoints where it is impossible, inconvenient or undesirable to string theusual conductor.

In a more limited sense, the object of my invention is to vary thecapacity of a resonance tube by the closure of a key or circuit closer.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in certain features ofnovelty hereinafter described and claimed and shown in the drawm s. x

In carrying my invention into eifect, I employ means for producing, whendesired, a continuous and uniform sound, having connected with a sourceof any suitable fluid unsensitive portion or medium and an electromagnet arranged to act upon said sensitive medium when a circuit closeror key closes the circuit through the helix of such magnet. As anexample of a device for producing such uniform and continuous sound,Ihave shown a steam orair whistle which may be connected with any wellknown source (not shown) of fluid under pressure.

In order that the fundamental principles of my invention may be morereadily compremagnet is arranged with its pole or poles in Serial No.449.6%. (No model.)

near proximity to the side of the hell or cup portion of a steam orother whistle or horn composed of magnetic metal, as soft iron or steel,and that While the whistle is sounding, such magnet is successivelyenergized and deenergized, it will be seen that at the instant themagnet becomes energized its magnetic influence will be imparted to thewhistle cup, and if such influence be sufficiently powerful,

it will tend to arrest the vibrations of the cup or to set up a. counteror contrary vibration in that portion of it at least which is in theimmediate vicinity of the magnet; and in either event, the regularity oruniformity of the sound vibrations of the cup will be destroyed, thuscausing the tone of the whistle to vary in strict accord with theexistence, duration and strength of the magnetic infiu- 7o ence. It isfound in practice, however, that for the more useful purposes to whichmy invention may be employed, the whistle hell or cup alone is so rigidthat it is not sufiiciently responsive to the weaker and rapidlyrecurring impulses of the magnet. Hence, it is necessary for manypurposes to rendera portion of the hell or cup more sensitive, Withoutdestroying the sonorous qualities necessary for the production of loudsound.

Examples of devices by which my invention may be carried into effect areshown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a simple embodiment of theprinciple of my R invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View of thepreferred form of apparatus, and Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof.

Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, from which the foregoing principlesmay best be understood, A indicates the device for producing acontinuous or uniform sound, here shown as a whistle; B represents acircuit 5 closer or telegraphic key, and O the electro magnet whosehelix may be placed in circuit with any suitable source D of electricenergy, through said key. The cup or hell portion a of the whistle isprovided with a sensitive diaphragm E, which in this form, is of coursecomposed of magnetic metal and may be secured in place in any suitablemanner or in the manner ordinarily followed in the construction oftelephones. This diaphragm forms a part of the wall of the cup or bella, and may be located at any convenient point, but it is preferably sosituated as to form the top or crown or a part of the top or crown ofthe cup; and the pole or poles of the magnet are arranged in nearproximity to it, as for instance, in an ordinary Bell telephonereceiver. It will now be seen that at the instant the key 13 is closed,the diaphragm E will be attracted by the magnet, thus causing a singlevibration of the diaphragm.

the vibrations imparted to the diaphragm by the rushing steam or otherfiuid used andby the vibrations of the balance of the whistle cup, willbe wholly or partially checked, or the tension of the diaphragmincreased by the influence of the magnet, and as such vibrations of thediaphragm were, at the time the key B was closed, making soundwaveswhich lent tone to the general tone of the whistle and Which blendedwith the general tone of the whistle, it stands to reason that thegeneral tone of the whistle as heard, would be varied by the influenceof the magnet on the diaphragm. When the key is again opened, breakingthe circuit, the diaphragm springs back to its former position,restoring the original or initial tone of the whistle. Thus a completevibration of the diaphragm While the whistleis sounding, will result ina continuous blast, consisting of three divisions: the first and thirdbeing the natural or initial tone of the whistle, andthe second being adifferent tone whose duration and pitch will depend respectively uponthe length of time that the circuit is closed and the strength of themagnetic influence.

While the instrument whichI have now de scribed is capable of carryingout my method,

it is found in practice, nevertheless, that owing to the necessity ofemploying a comparatively weak electric current for energizingthem-agnet, it is necessary that the magnet should be located with itscore very close to the diaphragm; but, when this is done themovement ofthe diaphragm is insufficient to produce results of practical futility,and the diaphragm, moreover, is liable to strike the magnet. vantageousto impart the magnetic impulse to the diaphragm through the intermediaryof leverage and a separate armature, whereby the slight movement of sucharmature will result in an exaggerated movement of the diaphragm.

An example of a convenient and. effective form of lever connection isshown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, and which I will now describemore in detail. In this form of the device it is of course not necessarythat the .diaphragm be constructed of magnetic metal, as the magnet maybe arranged to act upon an intermediate armature. The diaphragm E, asbefore described, is mounted in any convenient and well known manner atthe up- If at this instant the whistle should be sounding place.

Hence, I find it desirable and adper end of the resonance tube orchamber a composing the whistle cup; and suitably mounted above thediaphragm are two electro magnets O, preferably'such as ordinarilyemployed in the sounder or receiver of the telegraphic instrument, twomagnets being employed for the sake of greater strength. These magnetsmay be mounted uponaplate F, which in turn is supported upon uprightarms G provided with a threaded ring'g, screwing into the upper end ofthe whistle cup and serving to hold the diaphragm in p The plate F isprovided on one side with a laterally projecting arm H in the upturnedend h, of which is pivoted an armature lever I, to which is secured thearmature J. On the other side of the plate F is a lateral arm K inwhichis' pivoted a lever L whose inner end is preferablyarrangedjbetween the magnets, and is pivotally connected to a dependingstem or rodM, the lower extremity of which latter is screwthreaded,and=passed through the diaphragm E, and adjustablyconnected'theretoby means of clamped nuts -jecting beyond the armatureand passing through an upright arm N, which is adjust ably clamped tothe extension 11 by aset screw n at its upper end,'while at its lowerend it is adj ustably securedto the lever L, a'convenient meansforaccomplishing such adjustable connection'consisting of a pin 0 in theend of the arm N, arranged 'to play in a longi tudinal slot l formed inthe'lever L. By this arrangement it will be seen that thee-xtent of themovement of the diaphragm resulting from the movement of the armatureJ,may be regulated by shifting the arm N on the armature lever toward orfrom such armature accordingly, asit is desired to decrease orincreasethe movement of the diaphragm.

The'whistle cup or resonance tube a may be of any .well. -knownconstruction, I have shown a form,-,,however, consisting of a funnelshape chamber or cup, and I prefer to employ suchform as it is foundthat it produces a deeper and clearer sound with aminimum amount andforce of the steam or other fluid under pressure employed. The electroseen that when the circuit at B is closed, the

armature J will be attracted by the magnets and such movement will bemultiplied by the IOC levers I and L and transmitted to the diatime thewhistle should be sounding, its tone or pitch would be altered theinstant the diaphragm became depressed,'and such altered tone wouldexist until the circuit were again broken, whereupon, the whistle wouldresume its normal or original tone or pitch. It will therefore bereadily understood, that the dot and the dash, or any other code ofsignals may be produced in the tone of the whistle by the propermanipulation of the key B. It will also be seen that the action of thediaphragm is equivalent to that of an ordinary movable piston, as itspurpose is to vary the capacity of the resonance tube, and hence, it isto be understood that by the term, sensitive medium or diaphragm, Iinclude an ordinary piston for which the diaphragm is often used as asubstitute in other arts. It is to be also noted, however, that thediaphragm, such as I have shown and described, possesses advantages overthe ordinary pis ton in this particular connection, inasmuch as it iscapable of lending sound vibrations to the general tone of the whistlewhile it forms a tight joint and is not liable to rattle, and doesnotrequire to be accurately ground and fitted to the interior of thecup, as would be necessary with the piston.

Such a device as I have now described may be put to many useful purposesamong which might be mentioned that of telegraphy, and more especiallyfor the purpose of telegraphingat sea; for it is evident that twovessels equipped with such devices, might, while passing each other atsea, communicate through the agency of their whistles or horns,according to any of the well known telegraphic codes, or according toany other code of signals. 7 Having thus described my invention, What Iclaim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a source of fluid underpressure, of a horn orwhistle having a resonance tube or chamber connected therewith and thewall or side of said tube or chamber being provided with a continuousonbroken sensitive medium, and means for vibrating said medium wherebythe capacityof said tube or chamber will be varied,substantially as setforth.

2. The combination of a horn or whistle, an electro-magnet arranged tovibrate a portion of the resonator of said horn or whistle, and meansfor energizing and dc-energizing said magnet, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination with a source of fluid under pressure of aninstrument for producing uniform audible sound, connected therewith andhaving a sensitive medium, an electro magnet arranged to control thevibrations of said medium, and means for temporarily energizing andde-energizing said magnet, substantially as set forth:

4. The combination with a source of fluid under pressure of aninstrument for producing uniform audible sound, connected therewith andhaving a sensitive diaphragm forming a part of its resonance chamber, anelectro magnet arranged to control the vibrations of said diaphragm, andmeans for temporarily energizing and de-energizing said magnet,substantially as set forth:

5. The combination with a source of fiuid under pressure of aninstrument for producing uniform audible sound connected therewith andhaving a sensitive medium, an electro magnet provided with an armaturehaving lever connection with said sensitive medium, and means forenergizing and de-energizing said magnet, substantially as set forth:

6. The combination with a source of fluid under pressure of aninstrument for producing uniform audible sound, connected therewith andhaving a sensitive diaphragm, a lever attached to said diaphragm, and anelectro magnet having an armature connected with said lever,substantially at set forth:

7. The combination of a whistle having a sensitive diaphragm forming theupper end thereof and an electro magnet arranged to vibrate saiddiaphragm, substantially as set forth:

8. The combination of an instrument for producing audible sound having asensitive medium, an electro magnet having an armature, a lever uponwhich said armature is mounted, and a second lever connected to saidfirst lever and to said sensitive medium, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of an instrument for producing audible sound having asensitive medium, an electro magnet having an armature, a lever to whichsaid armature is secured, a second lever secured to said sensitivemedium, and an adjustable arm connecting said levers together,substantially as set forth:

'10. The combination of a whistle having a funnel-shape resonance tubeor cup and a sensitive diaphragm forming the upper end of said cup, anelectro magnet for vibrating said diaphragm, and means for energizingand de gneligizing said magnet, substantially as set ort 1.

\VILLIAM HENRY FAHRNEY.

Witnesses:

'F. A. HOPKINS, R. C. OMOHUNDRO.

